It's all a sweet dream for trailblazing tour rookie
 

Billy Oatman, first African-American to earn a PBA Tour exemption, already has a strong fan following

Monday, March 05, 2007

By JOE D'AMODIO

ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- There was no disappointment in Billy Oatman's eyes or voice Saturday when he showed up on Staten Island to visit some friends after placing 61st in a field of almost 500 in the Professional Bowlers Association's 64th U.S. Open at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J.

In fact, the charismatic and sometimes flamboyant Oatman is hardly ever one to get too far down, especially since he's living out a dream of being a professional bowler.

That he became the first African-American to earn a full-season tournament exemption on the PBA Tour -- in 2004, the PBA adopted an all-exempt national tour format, where only 64 bowlers compete each week, except for open events -- makes Oatman's story that much more interesting.

At age 41, Oatman is a PBA Tour rookie, and although he's yet to win a title, he is happy and grateful.

"I'm living out my boyhood dream," said Oatman. "It's what I wanted to do since I was about 6 years old."

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, Oatman's mom and dad kept their son off the streets by introducing him to bowling, a safe haven from the playgrounds of the ghetto where his friends were playing basketball.

"I'd bowl all day, then go play outside," he said. "My friends didn't know what I was doing."

He took an interest in bowling and soon after began tuning into ABC to watch the weekly Saturday bowling telecasts hosted by Chris Schenkel and Nelson Burton Jr.

He had his favorite bowlers, of course, but idolized Steve Cook, a big powerful left-hander like himself. It was during those times that Oatman dreamed of being a pro, even though no pros in the 1970s looked like him.

"They weren't many African-American bowlers around, but the Tour wasn't without them," said Oatman, who pointed out several black keglers including George Branham III, the only black bowler to win a title (he has five.) "But it didn't discourage me. I wasn't bothered by it. It was just something I wanted to do."

It's just that it took Oatman a little longer than most.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

While the 5-foot-10, 240-pounder enjoyed a successful amateur career after bowling for national championship teams at two-year Vincennes University in Indiana and later at Wichita State, he worked in a steel mill and drove a food delivery truck.

But all along, Oatman -- who estimates he has 60 300 games and 20-plus 800s -- had his eye on becoming a pro.

"It was something I didn't want to regret not doing when I was older," he said.

It wasn't until recently that Oatman earned his exemption when the PBA Tour Trials came to the house he bowled at in Chicago. Oatman finished 11th -- one spot away from an exemption. However, an injury to tour pro Ritchie Allen opened the door for Oatman.

And he's seizing the opportunity.

He hasn't been an overnight sensation during his first seven months, but he has reached the TV finals with his best performance second place in January at the PBA's Motel 6 Classic. At the same time, he's also earned the respect of his fellow bowlers.

"At first, I think they thought I was going to be a one-day wonder," he said. "Now they see how I bowl and compete and I think I've earned their respect."

Oatman knows his career on the pro tour may be short-lived, but he has set a few goals.

"I'd like to win a few titles, some majors," said Oatman, wearing a T-shirt which read, 'You can make money or You can make excuses. But you can't do both.' "

If anything, Oatman wants to leave a legacy, and it's not important to him if he doesn't do it on the lanes. He hopes to do it through a charitable organization he founded called the Hank Hardy Give Them A Chance Foundation, named after Oatman's bowling coach and mentor.

OPENING THE DOOR

Oatman hopes the foundation will offer opportunities for young African-American athletes to experience what he has in life.

"I like to compete and win, but it's not everything," he said. "I know my time on the Tour may be short, but if I can open the door for someone else that would be great."

Oatman's fiancée, Annette, who made the trip from Cleveland, Ohio, already says he has a strong following wherever he goes. And that won't surprise anyone who's met him.

"I'm going to be a role model or I'm going to be a jerk," said Oatman. "People are going to think of me as they may, but hopefully they see me as a role model." ------

NOTES: The U.S. Open concluded yesterday at Carolier with 44-year-old Pete Weber, a 27-year veteran of the PBA Tour, winning his fourth career Open title and eighth major title overall. Weber defeated Wes Malott, 210-204 in the final match. The fourth Open title tied Weber with his father, the late Dick Weber, as well as Don Carter for the most in PBA history.